Competitions

Roar and Phoenix share the points on the Gold Coast

Brisbane Roar has played out a scoreless draw against Wellington Phoenix in wet conditions at Robina's CBUS Super Stadium.

The Roar were able to create the better chances throughout the 90 minutes with Phoenix goalkeeper Lewis Italiano called into action on a number of occasions, but couldn't find a vital goal.

Head Coach John Aloisi was once again pleased with the contributions of his younger brigade in what was a second consecutive clean sheet for the Roar.

“We knew it was going to be a hard game. They worked hard and made it difficult for us going forward," Aloisi said

“We created the best three chances of the game and just couldn’t take them. It is a positive that we have kept two clean sheets in a row now too.

“We have a lot of injuries. We just have to grind through this period and continue to pick up points."

In his first Hyundai A-League match in his home city, Nick D'Agostino was named as Brisbane Roar's Man of the Match with a strong showing in his second 90-minute performance in as many rounds.

At the other end of the park, Daniel Bowles defended valiantly in his first home match for 2017/18, while goalkeeper Jamie Young also made a number of top-class saves to deny the visitors.

The result sees the Roar jump into the top six for the first time this season ahead of consecutive home matches against Melbourne Victory on Sunday, 17 November (6pm KO) and Perth Glory on Thursday, 21 November (6:50pm KO).

STORY OF THE GAME

Current Gary Wilkins medallist Corey Brown and fan-favourite Ivan Franjic made their long-awaited returns to the Roar starting XI.

An Eric Bautheac cutback for Ivan Franjic produced the best chance of the opening half. Franjic's attempt was blocked into the path of Corey Brown who was unable to keep his shot down.

Bautheac was substituted later in the first half and was replaced by Mitch Oxborrow who slotted into midfield.

Franjic and Jack Hingert combined well on the right wing during the second half with the latter firing a bullet of a cross towards Massimo Maccarone who couldn't direct his header on target.

Second-half substitute Corey Gameiro beat the offside trap in the dying stages and was only denied a first goal in Brisbane colours by a strong right arm from Lewis Italiano.

Brisbane's dependable right back, Jack Hingert, reached a milestone on the Gold Coast on Saturday afternoon playing his 150th Hyundai A-League match against the Phoenix.

CHANCES

Wellington Phoenix – Kaluderovic 7’
Phoenix centre-forward Andrija Kaluderovic attempts to open the scoring as he shoots from distance, but his strike lands into the hands of Jamie Young.

Brisbane Roar – Brown 31’
Following great lead-up play that provokes the Phoenix defence, a scramble in the box ensues and the ball is poorly cleared to Brown, who is unfortunate not to score as his shot flies just high.

Wellington Phoenix – Ridenton 45’
Immediately after making a fantastic save from Dario Vidosic’s powerful strike, Young impresses once again as he stretches across the line to tip Matthew Ridenton’s curling strike out for a corner.

Brisbane Roar – Maccarone 52’
Hingert connects with a great backheel from Franjic and swiftly turns and parries the ball to Massimo Maccarone who is unable to keep a glancing header down.

Brisbane Roar – Gameiro 89’
As the Roar look for a vital goal in the dying minutes of the game, Petros Skapetis plays a fantastic cross to substitute Corey Gameiro who attempts to chip Lewis Italiano but is denied with a strong save.